Frank c



4 (No Model.)

F. aamvgs MATCH BOX.

Pager med June 2,1891

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FRANK G. GRAVES, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT Oh COLUMBIA.

"WMATCH-BOX.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,383, dated June 2,1891. Application filed October 26, 1890, Serial No. 369,377. (Nomodel.)

IO to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inmatch-boxes designed, primarily, for use incigar-stores,-restaurants,-and the like, where it is desired to I placematches within convenient reach of the customers; or it may be foundconvenient in other places. I I

The primary object of the invention is to so construct and arrange theparts as to allow but one match to be taken at a time, thus preventingthe customary habit of obtaining a handful or more matches, which hasbeen one objection to the use of such devices. I providea receptaclewith a discharge'openin g of only sufficient dimensions to permit thepassage of but a single match at a time, the discharge-openin g beingnormally closed, and at each disclosure and at each discharge of a matchan alarm is sounded, which will bevery 3o apt to deter one from takingmore than one or two matches. The plunger which controls the dischargeof the matches may be utilized as a cigar-cutter.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 5 tion will hereinafterappear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined bythe appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which, with the lot- 0 ters of reference marked thereon, form apart ofthis specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of thematchbox complete, the dotted lines representing a match beingdischarged. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same with portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the line a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is avertical section on the line 3 y of Fig. 3 with a portion broken away.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughoutthe severalviews.

The parts constituting this device may be of wood or metal or acombination of both, as preferred. The size may be varied, and theexterior surface may be made as ornamental as desired.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, in which the preferableform is shown, the letter A designates the box or receptacle into whichthe matches are placed. It may be made to hold any desired number ofmatchessay two hundredand is provided with a hinged cover A, which maybe held in its closed position in any suitable mannerfor instance, by alock, as shown in Fig. 1.

The bottom of the box or receptacle A slopes or inclines downward andrearward, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to guide the matches toward thedischarge-opening a, which is located and formed between the rear plateor wall A. of the box and the bottom, as shown best in Fig. 3. Thisdisch. rgo-opening is formed at one or both ends with a cut-away portionor enlarged opening I) to accommodate the heads of the matches, therebeing preferably an opening at each, as seen in Fig. 2, so as to allowof the passage of the matches, no matter which way they may be arranged.

The rear wall A of the box extends to the bottom of the tray B andpractically divides the same into two parts, as seen in Fig. 1. Thistray may be integral with the box and rear plate or wall or separatetherefrom, as preferred. The tray has a surrounding flange c, as seen inFigs. 1 and 3, and upon the upper face of the bottom of either or bothof the compartments, preferably, however, only upon that in front of thebox, is provided a roughened or corrugated surface D, designed to serveas a match-sorath. The compartments of the tray may be used to receiveburned matches. The device may be permanently or detachably secured to acounter or in any other preferred place.-

On the front of the box (and it may be upon the rear plate or sides, ifdesired) is reserved a space 0 for advertisement, the name of the owner,or any other matter of this character.

I E is a sliding plate or plunger adapted to move vertically in suitableguides and extended above the top of the box, as scornim the severalviews, being provided with a su tab e knob or handle and with an opening(I, having a knife-edge to form one partof a cigar-cutter of knownconstruction, the other part being formed in the upper end of the plate1*, suitably held Within the box. The lower end of this plate E carriesa rod G, which is designed to extend at the lower end in or through ahole 6 in the bottom of the tray, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, a coiledspring H being arranged around this red and acting upon the bottom ofthe plunger to normally keep it up, so as to close thedischarge-opening, as seen in Fig. 3. The lower end of the plate 1extends to the upper edge of the notch f in the sliding plate E, asshown in Fig. 3, and serves to keep the matches from contact with'thesliding plate, and thus avoid any tendency to ignite the matches in thedescent of the plunger.

Projecting rearWai'dly from the sliding plate or plunger is a pin g,which works through a vertical slot 71 in the rear plate or wall A asseen in Figs. 2 and 3, and designed to engage the end of the bell-hammerI at each descent of the plunger, the said bell-hammer being suitablypivoted at j and designed to strike the bell Ii, affixed to the rearplate or wall of the box, as shown. The lower wall of the notch orgroove f in the sliding plate is preferably beveled, so as to aid thematch in falling out.

The operation will be readily understood, and a detailed descriptionthereof is not deemed necessary.

lVhat I claim as new is e 1. As an improved article of manufacture, amatch-box having discharge-opening, combined with a spring-actuatedplunger and an alarm arranged in the path of and adapted to be soundedby a projection on the plunger, substantially as specified.

2. The box having discharge-opening, combined with the sliding plungerhaving transverse groove and spring-actuated guide-rod, the plateextended within the box in front of the plunger, the lateral pinprojecting from the plunger through a slot in the rear wall of the box,and a bell-hammer arranged in the path of the said pin, substantially asand for the purpose specified. v

3. The device described, consisting of the combined box and tray, thebox having inclined front wall and discharge-opening, thevertically-sliding plunger having transverse groove and sp ring-actuatedguide-rod, the discharge-opening being enlarged at the ends thereof, theplate extended within the box in front of the plunger, the lateral pinon the plunger working through a vertical slot in the rear wall of thebox, the bell-hammer, and the bell, all arranged and operatingsubstantially as specified. y

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK (l. GRAVES. \Vitnesses:

0-. HUNT, JOHN lI-IAWKINs.

